Automated thermal exchange system

ABSTRACT

A system for condensing steam is provided that includes a cooling tank and a condensing coil extending into the cooling tank. Coolant from a source of coolant flows into the tank to cool the condensing coil when the temperature of the coolant in the cooling tank exceeds a predetermined value. A drain is in fluid communication with the cooling tank. An air gap assembly is located between the tank and the source of coolant. The air gap assembly includes an opening to atmospheric air and is constructed and arranged to allow coolant to flow out of the opening air vent when there is a predetermined amount of coolant back flowing into the device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of ProvisionalApplication No. 61/611,086 filed Mar. 15, 2012. The disclosure of whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to the cooling of fluids, moreparticularly, to systems and methods for reducing the temperature ofeffluents and coolants for devices like autoclaves, steam sterilizers,computers, etc. for delivery of such effluents and/or coolants to adrain or waste vessel while also avoiding cross connections of sourcecoolants to drain or waste connections.

BACKGROUND

Steam sterilizers (also called autoclaves) are used in the medical,dental, veterinarian, spa, ear-piercing and tattoo industries tosterilized instruments used for the patients or clients in order toprevent transfer of disease organisms one to another. Systems forcondensing the steam after it is used to sterilize theses instrumentsmay benefit from improvements.

SUMMARY

The following is a brief summary of subject matter that is described ingreater detail herein. This summary is not intended to be limiting as tothe scope of the claims.

A system for condensing steam is provided that includes a cooling tankand a condensing coil extending into the cooling tank. Coolant from asource of coolant flows into the tank to cool the condensing coil whenthe temperature of the coolant in the cooling tank exceeds apredetermined value. A drain is fluid communication with the coolingtank. An air gap assembly is located between the tank and the source ofcoolant. The air gap assembly includes an opening to atmospheric air andis constructed and arranged to allow coolant to flow out of the openingair vent when there is a predetermined amount of coolant back flowinginto the device.

In another aspect of the invention, a system for changing thetemperature of a fluid is provided that includes a container and athermal exchange device extending into the container. A source ofthermal exchange fluid is in fluid communication with the container. Thethermal exchange fluid from the source of thermal exchange fluid flowsinto the container to change the temperature of the thermal exchangedevice when the temperature of the thermal exchange fluid in thecontainer reaches a predetermined value. A thermal actuator isoperatively connected to a valve. The valve is located between thesource of thermal exchange fluid and the container. The valve isoperative to be in a closed position blocking the flow of thermalexchange fluid from the source of thermal exchange fluid into thecontainer and an open position allowing the flow of thermal exchangefluid from the source of thermal exchange fluid into the container. Thethermal actuator causes the valve to be placed from the closed positionto the open position in response to the temperature of the thermalexchange fluid reaching the predetermined value.

In another aspect of the invention, a system for condensing steam isprovided. The system includes a cooling tank, a condensing coilextending into the cooling tank, a drain in fluid communication with thecooling tank, a condensate line fluidly connected between the drain andan outlet of the condensing coil, a coolant overflow line fluidlyconnected between the cooling tank and the drain, a steam line fluidlyconnected to an inlet of the condensing coil, a source of coolant influid communication with the cooling tank, and a thermal actuatoroperatively connected to a valve. The valve is located between thesource of coolant and the cooling tank. The valve is operative to be ina closed position blocking the flow of coolant from the source ofcoolant into the cooling tank and an open position allowing the flow ofcoolant from the source of coolant into the cooling tank. The thermalactuator is operatively connected to one of the condensate line, coolantoverflow line, and steam line. The thermal actuator causes the valve tobe placed from the closed position to the open position in response tothe temperature of a fluid in the one of the condensate line, coolantoverflow line, and steam line exceeding a predetermined value.

In another aspect of the invention, a system for changing thetemperature of a fluid is provided that includes a container, a thermalexchange device extending into the container, and a source of thermalexchange fluid in fluid communication with the container. The thermalexchange fluid from the source of thermal exchange fluid flows into thecontainer to change the temperature of the thermal exchange device whenthe temperature of the thermal exchange fluid in the container reaches apredetermined value. An air gap assembly located between the containerand the source of thermal exchange fluid. The air gap assembly includesan opening to atmospheric air. The air gap assembly is constructed andarranged to allow thermal exchange fluid to flow out of the opening whenthere is a predetermined amount of thermal exchange fluid back flowinginto the device.

Other aspects will be appreciated upon reading and understanding theattached figures and description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a typical steam condensing system for acassette style autoclave.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a typical steam condensing system for achamber style autoclave.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a steam condensing system for a cassettestyle autoclave according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a partial front sectional view of portion of the steamcondensing system of FIG. 3 showing the manifold assembled to thecondensing coil and their related elements.

FIG. 5 is a front and top perspective view of the cooling tank of thesteam condensing system of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a front side view of the thermal valve assembly of the steamcondensing system of FIG. 3 in the closed position with portions removedaway for purposes of illustration.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but with the thermal valve assemblyin the open position.

FIG. 8 is a front side view of the thermal valve assembly with theadapter of the steam condensing system of FIGS. 20-22 in the closedposition with portions removed away for purposes of illustration.

FIG. 9 is an end view taken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a sectional side view of the flow control device of the steamcondensing system of FIG. 3 taken along the longitudinal axis of theflow control device.

FIG. 11 is a front side view of the air gap assembly of the steamcondensing system of FIG. 3.

FIG. 12 is a rear side view of the top end of the air gap assembly ofthe steam condensing system of FIG. 3 with the cover cap removed forillustrative purposes.

FIG. 13 is a top view of the top end of the air gap assembly of thesteam condensing system of FIG. 3 with the cover cap removed forillustrative purposes.

FIG. 14 is a side view of a portion of the steam condensing system ofFIG. 3 showing the drain adapter and related elements connected to theslip joint tee, condensate line, and coolant line.

FIG. 15 is a side view of a portion of the steam condensing system ofFIG. 3 showing the drain adapter and related elements connected to theslip joint tee and with portions removed for illustrative purposes.

FIG. 16 is a front side sectional view of a drain adapter for the steamcondensing system of FIG. 3 that has straight outlet ports.

FIG. 17 is a front side sectional view of another drain adapter for thesteam condensing system of FIG. 3.

FIG. 18 a is a side view of the in-line thermal valve assembly in anopen position of the system of FIG. 3 with portions removed forillustrative purposes.

FIG. 18 b is a view similar to FIG. 18 a but with the in-line thermalvalve assembly in a closed position.

FIG. 19 is a schematic view of a steam condensing system for a chamberstyle autoclave according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view of a steam condensing system for anautoclave according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 21 is a schematic view of a steam condensing system for anautoclave according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 22 is a schematic view of a steam condensing system for anautoclave according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 23 is a schematic view of a system for liquid cooling a computeraccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a schematic view of a steam condensing system for anautoclave according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various technologies pertaining to steam condensing systems will now bedescribed with reference to the drawings, where like reference numeralsrepresent like elements throughout. In addition, several functionalblock diagrams of example systems are illustrated and described hereinfor purposes of explanation; however, it is to be understood thatfunctionality that is described as being carried out by certain systemcomponents and devices may be performed by multiple components anddevices. Similarly, for instance, a component/device may be configuredto perform functionality that is described as being carried out bymultiple components/devices.

There are generally two types of autoclaves (cassette and chamber). FIG.1 shows a typical cassette style autoclave 20. Cassette style autoclavesare designed for rapid processing of small volumes of instruments. Thesedesigns typically utilize a narrow, elongated, clamshell slide-incassette constructed of stainless steel that holds the instruments to besterilized. Cassette style autoclaves have a sterilization or heatingchamber and a separate small reservoir for distilled-quality water. Whena cycle is started, water is delivered to the sterilization cassette andheated to create steam. Once steam is created, the system is pressurizedfor a specific period of time to kill organisms. When a cycle iscomplete, steam and very hot water is discharged from the cassette via adrain port while filtered air at ambient temperature is used to begin tocool the cassette and instruments. The steam and condensate flows via aline 22 to a waste bottle 24. The bottle 24 has a cap 26 with an inletfitting and an internal copper condensing coil 28. A small amount ofcool water is to be manually added to the bottle by the userperiodically to cover the lower section of the condensing coil 28 tohelp begin condensation of the steam and cooling of the condensate orwater. As the steam is converted to water, the water rises in thecondensing coil 28 and drops out of the end directly into theself-contained bottle 24 adding to the water in the bottle 24.

After a few cycles, an attendant or other person has to remove the cap26 and condensing coil 28 from the bottle 24 to empty the hot water intoa sink or other suitable drain. If the attendant forgets, the excesswater will escape via a small pressure relief port located in the cap26. This overflow creates rotting, warping, delamination and mold in thecabinetry in which it's stored. Additionally, if the number of cyclesoccurs too quickly in succession, the steam may not have time tocondense and thus, the steam and water vapor escapes via the relief porthole in cap 26 also creating moisture damage to the property. Further,the effluent waste or condensate from the system may be too hot todischarge directly to plumbing drains. Moreover, it would be a violationof the plumbing codes to discharge steam and/or water too hot for theplumbing system to drain. Also, this type of waste design also endangersthe attendant who must handle extremely hot equipment.

FIG. 2 shows a typical chamber style autoclave 30. Chamber styleautoclaves 30 are designed for processing large volumes of instrumentsand have much longer cycle times. These designs typically resemble alarge countertop microwave and have a round or square access door on thefront of the autoclave 30. They usually have an internal, cylindricalsterilization chamber 32 constructed of stainless steel with multipleshelves that hold trays or wrapped instruments to be sterilized. Chamberstyle autoclaves 30 also have a heating chamber and a separate largerreservoir such as a water tank 34 for storing distilled-quality water.When a cycle is started, water is delivered via a line 31 to thesterilization chamber 32 from the water tank by the opening of asolenoid valve 33. The water is heated in the sterilization chamber 32to create steam. Once steam is created, the sterilization chamber 32 ispressurized for a specific period of time to kill organisms.

When a cycle is complete, a solenoid valve 35 in a line 36 between thewater tank 34 and sterilizing chamber 32 is opened and the steam andvery hot water is discharged from the sterilization chamber 32 and sentto the water tank 34 while at the same time filtered ambient temperatureenters the chamber 32 to begin cooling the cassette and instruments. Thewater tank 34 contains a copper condensing coil 38 that is immersed inthe stored water supply and serves to help condense the steam. Theopening and closing of the solenoids is operated by a controller 37. Thechamber style autoclave 30 re-uses water for many cycles and does notuse a waste bottle. Periodically the attendant must physically drain theentire water tank 34 by use of a drain fitting and clean the water tank34 and sterilization chamber. Fresh distilled-quality water is addedback to the reservoir and the process may continue. This type of systemdoes not present the same problems as the cassette style autoclavescreate with use of a waste bottle but does require a great deal of laborto clean the water tank.

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIG. 3, an exemplaryembodiment of a steam condensing system 40 is provided to overcome theabove mentioned problems of the steam condensing systems for theautoclaves shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This steam condensing system 40 isused for a cassette type autoclave 42. The condensing system comprises acondensing coil 44, a source of coolant 46, a cooling tank 48, and adrain 50. The cassette type autoclave 42 contains the instruments orother objects that are sterilized by steam. The autoclave 42 includes aheating element 52, sterilization chamber 54 and a separate reservoir 56for distilled-quality water. This water is heated by the heating element52 to create the steam that is provided in the sterilization chamber 54used to sterilize the instruments. The sterilization chamber 54 isprovided with the steam and is pressurized for a predetermined time tokill organisms.

A high temperature resistant steam line 58 is fluidly connected betweenthe autoclave 42 and a manifold 60. The manifold 60 is fluidly connectedto the condensing coil 44 and mounted on a top wall 62 of the coolingtank 48. As seen in FIG. 4, the manifold 60 includes a head 63 andconnecting body 64. When the manifold 60 is mounted to the cooling tank48, the connecting body 64 extends through a threaded opening 66 (FIG.5) into the tank 48 and the head 63 abuts the top wall 62. Theconnecting body 64 may have threads that engage threads 72 in thethreaded opening 66 to secure the manifold 60 to the top wall 62 of thetank 48. The lower end of the head includes a groove 68 that receives AnO-ring that abuts or pushes against a flange 70 (FIG. 5), which isattach to the top wall 62 and extends around the opening 66, to seal themanifold 60 to the top wall 62 of the tank 48. The threads 72 may beblow molded, rotocasted, machined, molded or otherwise formed in thetank 48 at the opening 66 to engage the threads of the connecting body64 to secure the manifold 60 to the top wall of the tank. Alternatively,the manifold 60 may be mounted to the tank 48 by other ways. Forexample, the manifold 60 may be bolted to the tank using a bolt downmethod. The manifold 60 may be made of polyethylene, polypropylene orother suitable material.

The manifold 60 includes a first inlet port 74 provided on top of thehead 63 and is in fluid communication with the steam line 58 (FIG. 3). Ahigh temperature resistant Kynar® fitting 76 is fluidly connected to thesteam line 58 and is threadibly mounted in the first inlet port 74 toprovide thermal protection from the steam or hot fluid. The hightemperature resistant material may be Kynar®, brass or other suitablematerial that resists high temperatures. The first inlet port 74 fluidlycommunicates with a first outlet port 78 provided on the bottom of theconnecting body 64. The first outlet port 78 is fluidly connected to thecondensing coil 44 by a first brass compression fitting adapter 80. Thefirst fitting adapter 80 is secure to the inlet 81 of the condensingcoil 44 and threadibly mounted in the first outlet port 78.

The condensing coil 44 is generally comprised of copper or othersuitable thermal transfer material and extends downwardly near bottomwall 79 of the cooling tank 48 as seen in FIG. 3. The number of turns 82on the coil 44 helps the steam to condense as it flows through the coil44. The number of coils may vary depending on the system. The outlet 83of the condensing coil 44 is fluidly connected to a second brasscompression fitting adapter 84. The second fitting adapter 84 isthreadibly mounted in a second input port 86 provided on the bottom ofthe connecting body 64. The second input port 86 fluidly communicateswith a second outlet port 88 provided on the top of the head 63 of themanifold 60. A standard temperature fitting 90 is threadibly mounted inthe second outlet port 88 and fluidly connected to an elbow fitting 92.The elbow fitting is fluidly connected to a condensate line 96 (FIG. 3),which is connected to the drain 50.

Referring to FIG. 5, the cooling tank 48 is generally comprised ofplastic such as polyethyene and is shaped in the form of a righttriangle. This shape allows for efficient or space saving placement ofthe tank in a corner of the cabinet or along a flat surface of a sidewall of the cabinet. For mounting the tank to the side wall of thecabinet, the mounting structure may include, for example, threadedinserts in the sides of the tank to receive machine screws, which arehung on a hanger tab mounted on the side wall of the cabinet. Thetriangular shape design also allows for maximum efficiency for packagingand shipping considerations, since little space is wasted. The coolingtank 48 may be in the form of other shapes to fit into suitablestructures. For example, the cooling tank may be rectangular in shapeand mounted on the side wall. The cooling tank 48 includes the top andbottom walls 62, 79 and right, left, and rear side walls 98, 100, 102(as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 5). The right and left side walls 98, 100 aregenerally at a right angle with respect to each other. The side wallsmay include removable plates 104 for additional protection.

The cooling tank 48 contains coolant such as water that substantiallysurrounds the condensing coil 44 in a coolant bath to cool thecondensing coil 44 heated by the steam flowing through the condensingcoil 44. The coolant source 46 may be a cold water line from a sink 105as shown in FIG. 1. A separate coolant line 106 is fluidly connected tothe cold water line 46. A manually operated in-line shut off valve 108is provided in the coolant line 106 to selectively allow the flow ofwater through the coolant line 106 from the cold water line 46. Thecoolant line 106 is fluidly connected to a barbed inlet 120 (FIG. 6) ofa water valve 114 (FIGS. 6 and 7)) of a thermal valve assembly 112.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the thermal valve assembly 112 includes thewater valve 114 and a thermal actuator 116. The water valve 114 includesa valve body 118, the barbed inlet 120 and a barbed outlet 122. A valvepoppet 110 is slidingly received in a bore 124 of the valve body 118.The bore 124 axially extends from the inlet 120 to past the outlet 122.A return spring 125 is provided between the head 128 of the valve 114and an end portion of the valve body 118 at the inlet 120. The bore 124is in fluid communication with the inlet 120 and outlet 122. The head128 of the valve poppet 110 has a larger diameter than that of the bore124. The valve poppet 110 axially moves within the bore 124 to place thevalve 114 between a closed position (FIG. 6) and an open position (FIG.7). In the valve's closed position as seen in FIG. 6, the head 128 ofthe valve poppet 110 engages the funnel shaped seat 130 of the bore 124to block the inlet of the bore 124 and prevent water from the coolantline 106 from flowing through the bore 124 and the outlet 122 of thevalve 114. In the open position as seen in FIG. 7, the head 128 of thevalve poppet 110 moves upstream off of the seat 130 to allow water toflow from the coolant line 106 into the inlet 120 and the bore 124 andthrough the outlet 122 of the valve 114. The valve poppet 110 extendsthrough a threaded cylindrical end 132 of the valve body 118.

The valve 114 is secured to the thermal actuator 116. In particular, thethreaded end 132 of the valve 114 extends into a stem 134 of the thermalactuator 116 and threadibly engages threads in the inner side 136 (FIG.7) of an end of the stem 134. Alternatively, the stem 134 and the valvebody 118 may be attached by other suitable ways or may be formed in onepiece. The thermal actuator 116 includes a movable piston 138 located inthe stem 134 and engages wax 140 in a wax cup 142 at the lower end ofthe piston 138. The wax 140 may be a paraffin wax of an oil base or anyother type of wax that expands when heated. Other suitable types ofmaterial that expand when heated may be used instead of the wax. Thepiston 138 extends through a return coil spring 144 and is secured tothe spring 144. The lower end of the spring 144 is secured to a base orwax cup 142 of the thermal actuator 116. A diaphragm 141 is secured tothe wax cup 142 and provided inside the wax cup 142 between the wax 140and the lower end of the piston 138. The diaphragm 141 may be made ofrubber or other suitable flexible material. The wax 140 expands as it isheated and pushes the diaphragm upwardly which in turn flexes and pushesthe piston 138 upwardly. When the temperature in the expanded waxdecreases, the wax 140 contracts and the diaphragm retracts back down toallow the return spring 144 to urge the piston 138 downwardly.

The stem 134 includes a lateral sight opening 146 at the upper end ofthe piston 138 for viewing the position (actuating or non-actuating) ofthe piston 138. The thermal valve assembly 112 is configured such thatthe valve 114 is placed in the open position when the water in the tankis heated to the predetermined temperature that is too high to helpcondense the steam. In particular, the water, which is heated at thepredetermined temperature, causes the wax 140 to expand at a sufficientamount to overcome the biasing force of the spring 144 and move thepiston 138 upwardly until it engages the poppet 110 and moves the head128 of the poppet off of the seat 130 to allow water to flow from thecoolant line 106 into the inlet 120 and the bore 124 and through theoutlet 122 of the valve 114. When the water is below the predeterminevalue, the valve 114 is in the closed position in which the head 128engages the seat 130 to block the water from flowing into the bore 124and through the outlet 122.

The thermal actuator 116 includes a threaded base 148 that is threadiblysecured into a threaded opening 150 (FIG. 5) in the top wall 62 of thecooling tank 48 such that the wax cup 142 is inserted into the water ofthe cooling tank 48. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a cylindrical adapter152 may be removably connected to the thermal valve assembly 112 so thatthe thermal actuator 116 may be used to monitor the temperature of thewater in a line. In particular, the adapter 152 includes a lateral bore154 extending radially through the adapter 152. The bore 154 hasthreaded inlet and outlet ports 158, 160 that are configured tothreadibly engage respective male fittings connected to the line. Theadapter 152 also includes a threaded axial bore 156 that isperpendicular to the lateral bore 154 and is in fluid communication withthe lateral bore 154. The base 148 of the thermal actuator is threadiblysecured to the axial bore such that the wax cup 142 extends into thelateral bore 154 to monitor the temperature of the water flowing throughthe line and the lateral bore 154. The adapter 152 may be made of brassor other suitable material.

A coolant line 162 (FIG. 3) is fluidly connected between the outlet 122of the valve 114 and an inlet 164 of a flow control device 166, whichcontrols the flow of water to a predetermined value such as 200 or 300ml/minute. Specifically, as seen in FIG. 10, the flow control device 166may include a cylindrical housing 168 with an axial bore 170 having theinlet 164 and an outlet 172. A rubber flow control button 174 isprovided in the bore 170 and is sufficiently ported and sized to controlthe flow of water at a specific flow rate for a wide range of fluidpressures. The controlled flow of water into the cooling tank 48 is setto ensure optimal thermal reduction of the condensate and overflow waterto the drain and protects plumbing components while also optimizing andminimizing the use of water.

Coolant line 176 is fluidly connected between the outlet 172 of the flowcontrol device and an inlet 177 of an air gap assembly or air gapassembly 180. Referring to FIG. 11, the air gap assembly 180 includes agenerally Y-shaped tubular housing 182. The housing 182 may be made of athermoplastic material such as Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethyleneor other suitable material. The housing 182 includes a riser tube 184,an inlet branch 186, and an outlet branch 188. The inlet and outletbranches 186, 188 merged into the riser tube 184. The outlet branch 188has a larger diameter or cross section than that of the inlet branch186. The riser tube 184 includes a top end 189 that has an oval shapedlateral pressure relief openings 190, 192 (FIGS. 11 and 12) on oppositesides of the top end 189. As seen in FIG. 13, an inner cap 194 isinserted into the top opening of the riser tube 184 and snap fitted tothe riser tube 184 by tabs 196 that engage the upper ends of the lateralopenings 190, 192. The tabs 196 may be integrally molded on the innercap 194. The inner cap 194 is spaced radially inward from opposite sidesof the riser to define arcuate air gaps 197, 199. The inner cap 194deflects water flowing up the riser to the lateral openings 190, 192.

Referring to FIG. 11, a decorative cover cap 198 press fits or frictionfits on the top end 189 to cover the top end 189. The cover cap 198includes a generally rectangular shaped opening 200 that may be alignedover one of the relief openings 190, 192. The cover cap 198 is generallycylindrical and may be metallic or chrome like in appearance foraesthetics. The lower end of the cover cap 198 abuts a plastic upperflange nut 202 that threadibly engages a threaded portion 204 on theriser 184. A plastic lower flange nut 206 threadibly engages thethreaded portion 204 downwardly opposite the upper flange nut 202. Theflange nuts 202, 206 clamp upon a support surface 208 (FIG. 3) such asthe lip of a sink or a countertop to secure the air gap assembly 180 tothe support surface 208. The air gap assembly 180 may be configured tofit in the sprayer hole of a standard sink. A rubber washer 210 may beinserted between the upper flange nut 202 and support surface 208.

The inlet branch 186 includes a barbed end 212 that is attached to oneend of a tubular adapter 214. The tubular adapter 214 may be made of aflexible clear plastic material such as polyvinyl chloride. A barbedadapter 216 is attached to the other end of tubular adapter 214. Thetubular adapter 214 may be attached to the barbed end 212 and the barbedadapter 216 by thermal fusion. For example, the tubular adapter 214 maybe heated near its melting point. The melting point of the tubularadapter 214 is lower than that of the barbed end 212 and barbed adapter216. The barbed end 212 and the barbed adapter 216 are then insertedinto their respective ends of the tubular adapter 214. The barbedadapter 216 is inserted such that the barbs 218, 220 in them dig intothe inner surface of the tubular adapter 214 so that the melted materialof the tubular adapter 214 surrounds the barbs 218, 220. Upon cooling,the melted material hardens to fuse and secure the barbed end 212 andthe barbed adapter 216 to the tubular adapter 214. Alternatively, thebarbed end 212 and the barbed adapter 216 could be first inserted intothe tubular adapter 214 and then have heat applied to the tubularadapter 214 to melt and fuse the plastic material from the tubularadapter 214 to the barbed end 212 and barbed adapter 216.

Alternatively, the barbed end 212 and the barbed adapter 216 may beheated to a temperature near the melting point of the tubular adapter214. The barbed end 212 and the barbed adapter 216 are then insertedinto their respective ends of the tubular adapter 214. The plasticmaterial in the tubular adapter 214 is melted as the barbed end 212 andthe barbed adapter 216 are inserted such that the barbs 218, 220 in themdig into the inner surface of the tube so that the melted materialsurrounds the barbs 218, 220. Upon cooling, the melted material hardensto fuse and secure the barbed end 212 and the barbed adapter 216 to thetubular adapter 214. A tubular fitting 222 is threadibly secured intothe barbed adapter 216 and serves as the inlet 177 of the air gapassembly 180. The coolant line 176 is fluidly connected to the fitting222.

The outlet branch 188 also includes a barbed end 224 that is attached toone end of a tubular adapter 226. The tubular adapter 226 may be made ofa flexible clear plastic material such as polyvinyl chloride. A barbedadapter 228 is attached to the other end of tubular adapter 226. Thetubular adapter 226 may be attached to the barbed end 224 and the barbedadapter 228 by thermal fusion. For example, the tubular adapter 226 maybe heated near its melting point. The melting point of the tubularadapter 226 is lower than that of the barbed end 224 and barbed adapter228. The barbed end 224 and the barbed adapter 228 are then insertedinto their respective ends of the tubular adapter 226. The barbedadapter 228 is inserted such that the barbs 230, 232 in them dig intothe inner surface of the tubular adapter 226 so that the melted materialof the tubular adapter 226 surrounds the barbs 230, 232. Upon cooling,the melted material hardens to fuse and secure the barbed end 224 andthe barbed adapter 228 to the tubular adapter 226. Alternatively, thebarbed end 224 and the barbed adapter 228 could be first inserted intothe tubular adapter 226 and then have heat applied to the tubularadapter 226 to melt and fuse the plastic material from the tubularadapter 226 to the barbed end 224 and barbed adapter 228.

Alternatively, the barbed end 224 and the barbed adapter 228 may beheated to a temperature near the melting point of the tubular adapter226. The barbed end 224 and barbed adapter 228 are then inserted intotheir respective ends of the tubular adapter 226. The plastic materialin the tubular adapter 226 is melted as the barbed end 224 and barbedadapter 228 are inserted such that the barbs 230, 232 in them dig intothe inner surface of the tube so that the melted material surrounds thebarbs 230, 232. Upon cooling, the melted material hardens to fuse andsecure the barbed end 224 and the barbed adapter 228 to the tubularadapter 226. Alternatively, the barbed end 224 and the barbed adapter228 could be first inserted into the tubular adapter 226 and then haveheat applied to the tubular adapter 226 to melt and fuse the plasticmaterial from the tubular adapter 226 to the barbed end 224 and barbedadapter 228. Alternatively, the tubular adapter 226 may be heatedinstead of the barbed end 224 and the barbed adapter 228. A tubularfitting 234 is threadibly secured into the barbed adapter 228 and servesas the outlet 236 of the air gap assembly 180. A coolant line 238 (FIG.3) is fluidly connected to the fitting 234. The tubular adapters 214,226 allow for the use of standard male and female plumbing fittings andstandard tubing sizes.

The air gap assembly 180 allows water to flow out of the lateralopenings 190, 192 and air gaps 197, 199 at the top end 189 of the riser184 and opening 200 of the cover cap 198, when there is a predeterminedamount of water back flowing through the device. This prevents the waterfrom backing up into the water line 46 and causing cross contaminationand code violations. The openings and air gaps and their locationthereof also allow operation of the cooling system at atmosphericpressure.

To install the air gap assembly 180, the cover cap 198 and the upperflange nut 202 are removed and from beneath the sink 105, the riser 184is inserted into and up through a hole in the support surface 208 untilthe lower flange nut 206 abuts the underside of the support surface 208.The rubber washer 210 may then be inserted around the riser 184positioned on top of the support surface 208. The upper flange nut 202is then threadibly inserted over and down the threaded portion 204 untilthe upper flange nut 202 rests upon the rubber washer 210. The cover cap198 is then friction fitted on the riser 184.

Referring to FIG. 3, the coolant line 238 is fluidly connected betweenthe outlet 236 of the air gap assembly 180 and a male connector 240 thatis threadibly secured in a threaded coolant inlet opening 242 (FIG. 5)in the top wall 62 of the cooling tank 48. A coolant riser 244 isfluidly connected to the male connector 240 and extends downwardly nearthe bottom wall 79 of the cooling tank 48. The coolant riser 244 may bemade of polypropylene or other suitable material. The coolant inletopening 242 is located near the left and rear corner of the cooling tank48.

As depicted in FIGS. 3 and 5, a threaded coolant overflow opening 246 isprovided in the top wall 62 of the cooling tank 48 and is located nearthe right and rear corner of the cooling tank 48. A male connector 248is threadibly secured in the overflow opening 246 and is fluidlyconnected to an elbow 249. The coolant overflow opening 246, the coolantinlet opening 242, and threaded opening 150 for the thermal valveassembly 112 are positioned with respect to each other such that theaverage water temperature in the cooling tank 48 is monitored by thethermal actuator 116 for a more accurate temperature control of thesystem. Cool and hot areas in the water of the tank are not monitored.In particular, as seen in FIG. 5, the opening 150 is located at themidpoint between the coolant overflow opening 246 and the coolant inletopening 242 near the rear or hypotenuse side of the cooling tank 48. Theopening 150 for the thermal actuator valve assembly is also locatedrearwardly opposite the opening 66 for the manifold 60, which is locatedat the front corner of the cooling tank 48 at the junction of the rightand left side walls 98, 100.

A coolant overflow or drain line 250 (FIG. 3) is fluidly connected tothe elbow 249 and a first threaded inlet port 254 of a dual drainadapter 256. The drain adapter 256 may be made of a thermoplasticmaterial such as ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene or othersuitable material. Referring to FIG. 17, the drain adapter includesfirst and second threaded inlet ports 254, 258 and first and secondoutlet ports 260, 262. The inlet ports 254, 258 have a larger diameterthan that of their respective outlet ports 260, 262. The first inletport 254 is in fluid communication with the first outlet port 260. Thefirst outlet port 260 tapers toward the first inlet port 254. A floatinghollow ball 264 is provided in the first outlet port 260 and acts as acheck valve to prevent back flow of the water. Specifically, during thenormal flow of water the ball 264 is located away from the seat 266 ofthe first outlet port 260 to allow water to flow to the drain 50 throughthe space between the first outlet port 260 and the ball 264. If a backflow of water occurs, the water moves the ball 264 toward the seat 266until it engages the seat 266 to block the water from flowing back tothe cooling tank 48.

The second inlet port 258 is in fluid communication with a second outletport 262. The second outlet port 262 tapers toward the second inlet port258. A floating hollow ball 268 is provided in the second outlet port262 and acts as a check valve to prevent the back flow of the water.Specifically, during the normal flow of water, the ball 268 is locatedaway from the seat 270 of the second outlet port 262 to allow water toflow to drain 50 through the space between the second outlet port 262and the ball 268. If a back flow of water occurs, the water moves theball 268 toward the seat 270 until it engages the seat 270 to block thewater from flowing to the cooling tank 48. Both of the balls 264, 268are retained in their respective outlet ports 260, 262 by a stainlesssteel drive pin 272. Other types of check valves may be used instead ofthe ball such as spring loaded poppets. Alternatively, the drain adaptermay have straight outlet ports as shown in FIG. 16.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the drain adapter 256 is inserted into aninlet 273 of a slip joint tee 274 that is fluidly connected in the drainline 50 of the sink 105. The drain adapter 256 flares outwardly at itsinlet 275 to define a shoulder 279. The shoulder 279 engages acompression nut 276 secured to the inlet 273 of the slip joint tee 274to prevent further insertion of the drain adapter 256 into the inlet273. The compression nut 276 is inserted around the inlet 273 and drainadapter 256 and secures the drain adapter 256 to the inlet 273 of theslip joint tee 274. A compression seal washer 278 is provided betweenthe outer surface of the drain adapter 256 and inner surface of theinlet to seal the drain adapter 256 to the inlet 273.

As seen in FIGS. 14 and 17, the first input port threadibly receives amale fitting 280 secured to the overflow line 250 to fluidly connect theoverflow line 250 to the drain adapter 256. The second input port 258threadibly receives a male fitting 282 secured to the overflow line 250to fluidly connect the condensate line 96 to the drain adapter 256. Thesystem 40 also includes an in-line thermal valve assembly 284 (FIG. 3)located in the condensate line 96 that monitors and blocks condensateflow to the drain 50 if the temperature of the condensate in thecondensate line 96 exceeds a predetermined value. Specifically, as seenin FIGS. 18 a and 18 b, the inline thermal valve assembly 284 includes acap 286 and a body 288. The body 288 includes a threaded inlet opening290 that threadibly receives a male fitting 292, which is fluidlyconnected to the condensate line 96. The inlet opening 290 is in fluidcommunication with a chamber 294. The chamber 294 houses a thermalactuator 296. The thermal actuator 296 includes a movable piston 298that engages wax 300 in a wax cup 302 at the upstream end of the piston298. The wax 300 may be a paraffin wax of an oil base or any other typeof wax that expands when heated. Other suitable types of material thatexpand when heated may be used instead of the wax. The piston 298extends through a return coil spring 304 and is secured to spring 304.The upstream end of the spring 304 is secured to a base 306 or the waxcup of the thermal actuator 296.

The wax cup 302 is exposed to the condensate in the chamber 294. Adiaphragm 301 is secured to the wax cup 302 and provided inside the waxcup 302 between the wax 300 and upstream end of the piston 298. Thediaphragm 301 may be made of rubber or other suitable flexible material.The wax 300 expands as it is heated and pushes the diaphragm 301 whichin turn flexes and pushes the piston 298 downstream. When thetemperature in the expanded wax decreases, the wax 300 contracts and thediaphragm 301 retracts back down to allow the return spring 304 to urgethe piston 298 in the upstream direction. When the temperature in theexpanded wax decreases, the wax contracts to allow the return spring 304to urge the piston 298 in the upstream direction. The body 288 may beconstructed of clear polyvinyl chloride or other clear material forviewing the position of the piston 298. A cylindrical retainer 308extends around the wax cup and radially extends outwardly to the innersurface of the chamber 294. The retainer 308 holds the thermal actuator296 in place so that the piston 298 is aligned with an outlet port 310of the chamber 294. Four bypass holes 312 extend axially through theretainer and are spaced circumferentially equally from each other. Thenumber and size of the bypass holes may vary according to the system.

The cylindrical cap 286 includes an inlet opening 314 in fluidcommunication with a threaded outlet opening 316. The outlet opening 316threadibly receives a hollow male fitting 318, which is fluidlyconnected to the condensate line 96. The cap 286 of the in-line thermalvalve assembly 284 is threadibly secured to the body 288. An O-ring seal321 is provided between the cap 286 and the body 288 to seal them fromthe water. When the cap 286 and the body 288 are threadibly connected toeach other, the outlet port 310 of the chamber is in fluid communicationwith the inlet opening 314 of the cap 286. During normal operation asseen in FIG. 18 a, the piston 298 is spaced from the outlet port 310 toplace the in-line thermal valve assembly 284 in the open position. Inthe open position, the condensate from the condensate line 96 flowsthrough the fitting 292 in the inlet opening 258 and into the chamber294. The condensate then flows through the bypass holes and outlet portof chamber. The condensate then flows out of the fitting 318 in theoutlet opening 316 of the cap 286 and into the condensate line 96 and tothe drain 50.

The thermal actuator 296 is constructed such that when condensate in thechamber 294 is at a predetermined temperature that could cause damage tothe elements of the drain, the wax expands and causes the piston 298 tomove in the downstream direction and block the outlet port 310 as seenin FIG. 18 b. This places the in-line thermal valve assembly 284 in theclosed position and prevents the condensate from flowing to the drain50. A sensor 320 may also be operatively connected to the in-linethermal valve assembly 284 or condensate line 96 or 396 to detect thatthe condensate is at or above the predetermined temperature or that theoutlet port 310 is blocked by the piston 298. The sensor 320 may beoperatively connected to a display 322 and cause the display 322 todisplay an error message in response to this condition. The sensor 320may also be operatively connected to the autoclave and cause theautoclave to stop its current cycle in response to this condition. Thesensor 320 may, for example, be a pressure sensor operatively connectedto the condensate line 96 that detects back pressure in the condensateline 96 created by the blocking of the outlet port 310 by the piston298. Alternatively or in addition, the sensor may be operativelyconnected to a warning light, audible device, or other suitableindicator to indicate that the condensate is at the temperature in whichthe steam and/or heated water vapor in the condensate line 96 couldcause elements of the drainage system to melt or be damage.

The retraction and resetting of the piston 298 may be accomplished byallowing time for the fluid in the chamber to cool or manually byopening the body 288, cooling the wax by use of cold water (which willretract the piston in seconds), placing the wax back into the chamber294, closing the body 288, and then re-installing the in-line thermalvalve assembly 284 in the condensate line 96. The in-line thermal valveassembly size, inlet and outlet connection size, flow rate capacity, andthermal activation set point of the wax motor may all be adjusted asrequired by specific application.

Referring to FIG. 3, the system operates as follows. The cooling tank 48initially contains cold water before sterilization begins. Also, theshut off valve 108 is turned on to allow water to flow to the valve 114of the thermal valve assembly 112. During sterilization of theinstruments in the autoclave, water in the reservoir 56 is heated by theheating element 52 to create the steam that is used to sterilize theinstruments. The sterilization chamber 54 containing the instruments isprovided with the steam and is pressurized for a predetermined time tokill organisms. The steam is directed through the steam line 58 andthrough the first inlet and outlet ports 74, 78 of the manifold 60 andinto the condensing coil 44. The cold water surrounding the condensingcoil 44 helps condensation of the steam traveling through the condensingcoil 44. This water is heated by the coil 44 as the steam travelsthrough the coil 44. The steam condenses into condensate which flowsthrough the second inlet and outlet ports 86, 88 to the manifold 60 andinto the condensate line 96. The condensate then flows through thein-line thermal valve assembly 284 and drain adapter 256 and then to thedrain 50.

When the water is heated to the predetermined temperature that is toohigh to help condense the steam and/or that may cause damage to thesystem from the condensate, the thermal actuator 116 operates to placethe valve 114 in the open position as previously mentioned. Cool waterfrom the cold water line 46 then flows out of the valve and through theflow control device 166 and the air gap assembly 180. The water thenflows down from the air gap assembly 180 by gravity and through theriser tube 244 and into the cooling tank 48. As the cool water flowsinto the cooling tank 48, the cool water displaces the warmer waterwhich flows out of the overflow opening 246. The warmer water flowsthrough the overflow line 250, the drain adapter 256 and to the drain50. This lowers the temperature of the water in the cooling tank 48 tofurther help condense the steam and lowers the temperature of thecondensate to a value that prevents damage to the components of thedrain. When the temperature of the water in the cooling tank 48 lowersbelow the predetermined temperature, the wax 140 contracts to place thevalve 114 in the closed position to block the cool water from the coldwater line from entering the cooling tank 48.

If the water in the cooling tank 48 back flows through the riser 244 andthe line 238, the water will flow through the lateral openings 190, 192and air gaps 197, 199 and out of the opening 200 of the air gap assembly180. This will also visually alert a user of this condition. The air gapassembly 180 is designed so that the cooling system operates completelyat atmospheric pressure. Since the air gaps and openings in the air gapassembly are at the inlet side of the system (before the cool waterflows into the tank), nothing can cross connect and no additional backflow prevention device is needed.

FIG. 19 shows another exemplary system 401 that is used with a chamberstyle autoclave. The chamber style autoclave is similar to FIG. 2,except that the outlet 323 of the coil 38 is fluidly connected to theline 324 that is fluidly connected to the inlet port 74 of the manifold60. This condensing coil 38 serves to further condensate the steam andcool the condensate prior to its entry in to the cooling tank 48. Inthis way, less coolant water is used and the entire system stays cooler.Alternatively, the coil 38 may be removed and the line 36 may instead befluidly connected directly to the inlet port 74 of the manifold 60. Inall other aspects, the exemplary system is similar in structure andfunction to that shown and described in FIG. 3.

FIG. 20 shows an exemplary steam condensing system 400 in which thethermal valve assembly 112 with the cylindrical adapter 152 is fluidlyconnected in the steam line 58 for monitoring the temperature of thefluid and/or gas from the autoclave. In operation, when the temperatureof the water and/or gas in the steam line 58 is at or above apredetermined temperature, the thermal actuator 116 operates to placethe valve 114 in the open position as previously mentioned. Cool waterfrom the cold water line 46 then flows out of the valve 114 and throughthe flow control device 166 and the air gap assembly 180. The water thenflows down from the air gap assembly 180 by gravity and through theriser tube 244 and into the cooling tank 48. As the cool water flowsinto the cooling tank 48, the cool water displaces the warmer waterwhich flows out of the overflow opening 246. The warmer water flowsthrough the overflow line 250, the drain adapter 256 and to the drain50. This lowers the temperature of the water in the cooling tank 48 tofurther help condense the steam and lowers the temperature of thecondensate to a value that prevents damage to the components of thedrain 50. When the temperature of the water and/or gas in the steam line58 lowers below the predetermined temperature, the wax 140 contracts toplace the valve 114 in the closed position to block the cool water fromthe cold water line 46 from entering the cooling tank 48. In all otheraspects, the exemplary steam condensing system 400 is similar instructure and function to that shown and described in FIG. 3.

FIG. 21 shows an exemplary steam condensing system 410 in which thethermal valve assembly 112 with the cylindrical adapter 152 is fluidlyconnected in the overflow line 250 for monitoring the temperature of thewater in the line 250. In operation, when the temperature of the waterin the overflow line 250 is at or above a predetermined temperature, thethermal actuator 116 operates to place the valve 114 in the openposition as previously mentioned. Cool water from the cold water line 46then flows out of the valve 114 and through the flow control device 166and the air gap assembly 180. The water then flows down from the air gapassembly 180 by gravity and through the riser tube 244 and into thecooling tank 48. As the cool water flows into the cooling tank 48, thecool water displaces the warmer water which flows out of the overflowopening 246. The wanner water flows through the overflow line 250, thedrain adapter 256 and to the drain 50. This lowers the temperature ofthe water in the cooling tank 48 to further help condense the steam andlowers the temperature of the condensate to a value that prevents damageto the components of the drain. When the temperature of the water in theoverflow line 250 lowers below the predetermined temperature, the wax140 contracts to place the valve 114 in the closed position to block thecool water from the cold water line 46 from entering the cooling tank48. In all other aspects, the exemplary steam condensing system 410 issimilar in structure and function to that shown and described in FIG. 3.

FIG. 22 shows an exemplary steam condensing system 420 in which thethermal valve assembly 112 with the cylindrical adapter 152 is fluidlyconnected in the condensate line 96 for monitoring the temperature ofthe condensate in the line 96. In operation, when the temperature of thecondensate in the condensate line 96 is at or above a predeterminedtemperature, the thermal actuator 116 operates to place the valve 114 inthe open position as previously mentioned. Cool water from the coldwater line 46 then flows out of the valve 114 and through the flowcontrol device 166 and the air gap assembly 180. The water then flowsdown from the air gap assembly 180 by gravity and through the riser tube244 and into the cooling tank 48. As the cool water flows into thecooling tank 48, the cool water displaces the warmer water which flowsout of the overflow opening 246. The warmer water flows through theoverflow line 250, the drain adapter 256 and to the drain 50. Thislowers the temperature of the water in the cooling tank 48 to furtherhelp condense the steam and lowers the temperature of the condensate toa value that prevents damage to the components of the drain. When thetemperature of the condensate in the condensate line 96 lowers below thepredetermined temperature, the wax 140 contracts to place the valve 114in the closed position to block the cool water from the cold water line46 from entering the cooling tank 48. In all other aspects, theexemplary steam condensing system 420 is similar in structure andfunction to that shown and described in FIG. 3.

FIG. 23 shows an exemplary system 430 that is used to liquid cool acomputer 340. In this system, liquid used to cool the computer flowsthrough the line 358 and through the first inlet and outlet ports 74, 78of the manifold 60 and into the condensing coil 44. The cold watersurrounding the condensing coil 44 helps cool the liquid travelingthrough the condensing coil 44. This water is heated by the coil 44 asthe liquid travels through the coil 44. The liquid flows through thesecond inlet and outlet ports 86, 88 of the manifold 60 and into theline 396, which is routed through the computer 340 and is in fluidcommunication with the line 358. A pump 360 in the line 396 draws thecooled liquid into a reservoir 362 in the line 396 and pumps the liquidthrough the line 396 to the computer 340 to cool the computer 340. Acheck valve 364 may be provided in the line 396 upstream of the pump 360and reservoir 362 to prevent back flow of the liquid. In all otheraspects, the exemplary system 430 is similar in structure and functionto that shown and described in FIG. 3.

FIG. 24 shows another exemplary steam condensing system 440 in which theair gap assembly 180 is removed such that the outlet 172 of the flowcontrol device 166 is directly fluidly connected via a line to the maleconnector 240, which is fluidly connected to the coolant riser 240. Inall other aspects, the exemplary system is similar in structure andfunction to that shown and described in FIG. 3. The air gap assembly 180may also be removed in each of the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 19-23such that the outlet 172 of the flow control device 166 is directlyfluidly connected via a line to the male connector 240, which is fluidlyconnected to the coolant riser 240 for each embodiment. In all otheraspects, this exemplary system is similar in structure and function tothe associated embodiment shown and described in FIGS. 19-23.

The steam condensing system 40 is installed as follows. First, thecooling tank 48 is filled with cold tap water. The threaded base 148 ofthe thermal actuator is then threadably inserted into the threadedopening 150 (FIG. 5) in the top wall 62 of the cooling tank 48 andtightened with a wrench such that the wax cup 142 is inserted into thewater of the cooling tank 48. The manifold 60 is attached to thecondensing coil 44 and the coil 44 is lowered through the threadedopening 66. The manifold 60 is threaded firmly around the threadedflange 70 of the opening 66 such that the lower edge of the manifold 60is secured tight against the flange 70. The cooling tank 48 is thenmoved into the cabinet and positioned against a corner or back wall ofthe cabinet or other structure.

The air gap assembly 180 is installed on the lip of the sink 105 orcountertop 208 depending on the sink configuration or other supportsurface. The air gap assembly 180 is designed to fit in the sprayer holeof standard sinks. If there is no sprayer hole or there is one but theuser wishes to keep the sprayer, a hole may be drilled in the lip of thesink or countertop to accommodate the air gap assembly 180. The air gapassembly 180 is installed by first removing the decorative(friction-fit) chrome cover cap 198 by pulling straight upward.

The upper flange nut 202 and washer 210 is then removed from the riser184 and while the lower flange nut 206 is left intact. From beneath thesink, the riser 184 is inserted into and up through the hole until thelower flange nut 206 abuts the underside of the sink deck or countertop.The rubber washer 210 is pushed down over the riser 184 while pulling upon the riser 184. The upper flange nut 202 is then threaded over anddown the riser until the nut 202 has pushed the washer 210 into contactwith the sink deck or countertop. The chrome cover cap 198 is fittedover the riser 184 until it locks into place to ensure that it fitsproperly. The chrome cover cap 198 is then removed. Then, while holdingthe riser still, tighten the lower flange nut 206 up against theunderside of the sink deck or countertop to secure the assembly. Fit thechrome cover cap 198 over the riser 184 and lock into place again.

The drain adapter 256 may then be installed in a vertical or horizontalorientation in the sink drain piping as needed and at a position that isbelow the air gap assembly 180 and such that the water will not flow outof the lateral openings during normal the flow of water (no back flow).Preferably, the drain adapter 256 is installed at the lowest possiblelevel in the system 40. To install the drain adapter 256, mark thecenter point of the area desired for installation, then cut a section ofthe existing drain tubing out to allow room for the slip joint tee 274.A slip joint compression nut 330 (FIG. 15) over each end of the tubingfollowed by one beveled washer 277. The beveled edge of the washer isfacing the fitting as, for example, depicted in FIG. 15. The slip jointtee 274 is fitted into the open section and the nuts and washers aretightened securely to the threaded ends of the Tee. With the beveledwasher 277 and compression nut 276 already in place and not yettightened, the dual port drain adapter 256 is inserted into the inlet273 of the slip joint tee 274 and pushed until its shoulder 279 is incontact with the nut 276. While tightening the compression nut 276, thedrain adapter 256 is pushed towards the slip joint tee 274 until tight.The drain adapter 256 is then rotated so that the second inlet port 258for the condensate line 96 is below the first inlet port 254 of thecoolant overflow line 250. If the slip joint tee 274 is installedhorizontally in the plumbing piping, the dual port adapter 256 shouldalways be rotated to the 12:00 O'clock position so the first and secondinlet ports 254, 258 are at the top and discharge downward into the slipjoint tee 274. The lines are then connected to their respective elements(e.g. air gap assembly 180, in-line thermal valve assembly 284, flowcontrol device 166, thermal valve assembly 112, manifold 60, coolantriser 244, cooling tank 48, and drain adapter 256) via their respectivefittings.

To put the condensing system 40 in its operation mode, the shut offvalve 108 is turned on. To test the condensing system 40, asmall-bladed, standard screw drive or similar tool is inserted throughthe sight opening 146 in the side of the thermal actuator stem 134 andmoved directly upward upon the poppet 110 to move the poppet upwardly toplace the valve in the open position. Held in that position, watershould begin flowing from the outlet 122 of the water valve 114, upthrough the line 162, 176, through the flow control device 166 and intothe inlet 177 of the air gap assembly 180. Temporarily remove the chromedecorative cover cap 198 from the air gap assembly 180 by pullingupward. Water should be seen (via the gaps and openings) flowing veryslowly into the air gap assembly 180. After a few moments, the waterwill have filled the chamber in the air gap assembly 180 and beginflowing from the outlet 236, downward to the coolant riser 244 in thecooling tank 48. Temporarily pull the coolant overflow line 250 out ofthe fitting 280 at the drain adapter 256 by pushing and holding in acollet around the perimeter while pulling outwardly on the overflow line250. When a slow, intermittent flow of water is observed flowing fromthe coolant overflow line 250, push the line 250 back into the coolantoverflow fitting and reassemble the decorative chromed cover cap 198 tothe top of the air gap assembly 180. Remove the tool used to manuallyactuate the water coolant valve 114.

It should be noted that the system in any of the exemplary embodimentsmay be configured to be used for any type of thermal transfer of heatbetween a fluid in a heat exchange device and a fluid surrounding theheat exchange device. For example, the system may be set up to have acontainer filled with warm water to heat fluid in a heat exchangedevice. Also, instead of a condensing coil, other types of heat exchangedevices that help to cool, condense, or heat up fluids may be used suchas a heat sink. Also, a pressure relief device may be used instead of anair gap assembly. The pressure relief device may be an open pressurerelief device. Also, various tubing sizes can be used for the coolantand other lines (e.g. ¼″, ⅜″, ½″, ¾″ outer diameter tubing).

It is noted that several examples have been provided for purposes ofexplanation. These examples are not to be construed as limiting thehereto-appended claims. Additionally, it may be recognized that theexamples provided herein may be permutated while still falling under thescope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for condensing steam comprising: acooling tank; a condensing coil extending into the cooling tank; asource of coolant in fluid communication with the cooling tank, whereincoolant from the source of coolant flows into the tank to cool thecondensing coil when the temperature of the coolant in the cooling tankexceeds a predetermined value; an air gap assembly located between thetank and the source of coolant, wherein the air gap assembly includes anopening to atmospheric air, wherein the air gap assembly is constructedand arranged to allow coolant to flow out of the opening when there is apredetermined amount of coolant back flowing into the device.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1 including a thermal actuator operatively connected tothe cooling tank and a valve, wherein the valve is located between thesource of coolant and the cooling tank, wherein the valve is operativeto be in a closed position blocking the flow of coolant from the sourceof coolant into the cooling tank and an open position allowing the flowof coolant from the source of coolant into the cooling tank, wherein thethermal actuator causes the valve to be placed from the closed positionto the open position in response to the temperature of the coolant inthe cooling tank being above the predetermined value.
 3. The system ofclaim 2 wherein the thermal actuator comprises an expandable part,wherein the expandable part is in contact with the coolant in thecooling tank and in operative connection with the valve, wherein theexpandable part is operative to expand in response to the temperature ofthe coolant exceeding the predetermined value and cause the valve to beplaced in the open position.
 4. The system of claim 1 including a drainin fluid communication with the cooling tank, a condensate line fluidlyconnected between the drain and an outlet of the condensing coil, acoolant overflow line fluidly connected between the cooling tank and thedrain, a steam line fluidly connected to an inlet of the condensingcoil, a thermal actuator operatively connected in-line in one of thecondensate line, the coolant overflow line, and the steam line, whereinthe valve is located between the source of coolant and the cooling tank,wherein the valve is operative to be in a closed position blocking theflow of coolant from the source of coolant into the cooling tank and anopen position allowing the flow of coolant from the source of coolantinto the cooling tank, wherein the thermal actuator is operativelyconnected to the valve and causes the valve to be placed from the closedposition to the open position in response to the temperature of a fluidin the one of the condensate line, coolant overflow line, and steam lineexceeding a predetermined value.
 5. The system of claim 2 wherein thethermal actuator includes an actuating part that is movable between anactuating position that causes the valve to be placed in the openposition and a nonactuating position that allows the valve to be placedin the closed position, wherein the thermal actuator includes an openingfor viewing the position of the actuating part.
 6. The system of claim 2including a drain in fluid communication with the cooling tank, a drainadaptor in operative connection with the drain, wherein the drainadaptor includes a first input port in fluid communication withcondensate flowing from the condensing coil and a second input port influid communication with coolant flowing from the cooling tank.
 7. Thesystem of claim 6 wherein the drain adaptor is configured to be receivedby a slip joint tee.
 8. The system of claim 1 including a drain in fluidcommunication with the cooling tank, wherein the drain is in fluidcommunication with an outlet of the condensing coil, a thermal valveassembly fluidly connected between the outlet of the condensing coil andthe drain, wherein the thermal valve assembly is operative to preventfluid from the condensing coil to flow into the drain in response to thetemperature of the fluid exceeding a predetermined value.
 9. The systemof claim 8 including an indicator, wherein said indicator is operativeto indicate that the fluid flowing out of the outlet of the condensingcoil exceeds a predetermined temperature.
 10. The system of claim 1wherein the air gap assembly includes at least one barbed end, whereinthe barbed end is securely received by a tubular adapter, wherein thetubular adapter is configured to be securely received by a fitting. 11.The system of claim 1 including a drain in fluid communication with thecooling tank, a manifold fitting operatively mounted to the tank,wherein the manifold includes first and second inlet ports and first andsecond outlet ports, wherein the first inlet port is in fluidcommunication with steam to be condensed and the first outlet port is influid communication with the condensing coil, wherein the second inletport is in fluid communication with the condensing coil and the secondoutlet port is in fluid communication with the drain, wherein themanifold is configured such that steam to be condensed enters the firstinlet port into the manifold and exits the manifold through the firstoutlet port and into the condensing coil, wherein the manifold isconfigured such that condensate from the condensing coil enters thesecond inlet port into the manifold and exits the manifold through thesecond outlet port to the drain.
 12. The system of claim 1 including adrain in fluid communication with the cooling tank, wherein the coolingtank includes a coolant overflow outlet in fluid communication with thedrain, wherein the coolant overflow outlet allows coolant to flow out ofthe cooling tank to the drain when the coolant in the cooling tank is ata predetermined level.
 13. The system of claim 2 including a drain influid communication with the cooling tank, wherein the cooling tank istriangular in shape and includes a coolant inlet port for receivingcoolant from the source of coolant, wherein the cooling tank includes acoolant overflow outlet in fluid communication with the drain, whereinthe coolant overflow outlet allows coolant to flow out of the coolingtank to the drain when the coolant in the cooling tank is at apredetermined level, wherein the thermal actuator is positioned in thecooling tank between the coolant inlet port and coolant overflow outletat a location in which temperature of the coolant is substantially atthe average coolant temperature of the cooling tank.
 14. The system ofclaim 2 including a drain in fluid communication with the cooling tank,wherein the drain is in fluid communication with an outlet of thecondensing coil, a thermal valve assembly fluidly connected between theoutlet of the condensing coil and the drain, wherein the thermal valveassembly is operative to prevent fluid from the condensing coil to flowinto the drain in response to the temperature of the fluid exceeding apredetermined value.
 15. The system of claim 1 including a flow controldevice operatively connected between the cooling tank and the source ofcoolant, wherein the flow control device is operative to control theflow of coolant into the tank at a predetermined rate.
 16. The system ofclaim 2 wherein the thermal actuator includes a wax portion and apiston, wherein the wax portion is operatively connected to the piston,wherein the wax portion is operative to expand and move the piston apredetermined distance that causes the valve to be placed in the openposition in response to the temperature of the coolant in the coolingtank increasing above a predetermined value.
 17. The system of claim 6,including a drain in fluid communication with the cooling tank, whereinthe first input port includes a first check valve and the second inputport includes a second check valve, wherein the first check valve isoperative to prevent the back flow of fluid from the drain to thecondensing coil, wherein the second check valve is operative to preventthe back flow of fluid from the drain to the cooling tank.
 18. Thesystem of claim 17 wherein the check valve is a ball check valve.
 19. Asystem for changing the temperature of a fluid comprising: a container;a thermal exchange device extending into the container; a source ofthermal exchange fluid in fluid communication with the container,wherein the thermal exchange fluid from the source of thermal exchangefluid flows into the container to change the temperature of the thermalexchange device when the temperature of the thermal exchange fluid inthe container reaches a predetermined value; a thermal actuatoroperatively connected to a valve, wherein the valve is located betweenthe source of thermal exchange fluid and the container, wherein thevalve is operative to be in a closed position blocking the flow ofthermal exchange fluid from the source of thermal exchange fluid intothe container and an open position allowing the flow of thermal exchangefluid from the source of thermal exchange fluid into the container,wherein the thermal actuator causes the valve to be placed from theclosed position to the open position in response to the temperature ofthe thermal exchange fluid reaching the predetermined value.
 20. Thesystem of claim 19 wherein the thermal exchange device includes acondensing coil, wherein the container includes a cooling tank, whereinthe thermal exchange fluid includes coolant, wherein the coolant fromthe source of thermal exchange fluid flows into the cooling tank to coolthe condensing coil when the temperature of the coolant in the coolingtank exceeds the predetermined value.
 21. The system of claim 20 whereinthe thermal actuator comprises an expandable part, wherein theexpandable part is in contact with the coolant in the cooling tank andin operative connection with the valve, wherein the expandable part isoperative to expand in response to the temperature of the coolant in thecoolant tank exceeding the predetermined value and cause the valve to beplaced in the open position.
 22. A system for condensing steamcomprising: a cooling tank; a condensing coil extending into the coolingtank; a drain in fluid communication with the cooling tank; a condensateline fluidly connected between the drain and an outlet of the condensingcoil; a coolant overflow line fluidly connected between the cooling tankand the drain; a steam line fluidly connected to an inlet of thecondensing coil; a source of coolant in fluid communication with thecooling tank; a thermal actuator operatively connected to a valve,wherein the valve is located between the source of coolant and thecooling tank, wherein the valve is operative to be in a closed positionblocking the flow of coolant from the source of coolant into the coolingtank and an open position allowing the flow of coolant from the sourceof coolant into the cooling tank, wherein the thermal actuator isoperatively connected to one of the condensate line, coolant overflowline, and steam line, wherein the thermal actuator causes the valve tobe placed from the closed position to the open position in response tothe temperature of a fluid in the one of the condensate line, coolantoverflow line, and steam line exceeding a predetermined value.
 23. Thesystem of claim 19 wherein the thermal actuator includes an actuatingpart that is movable between an actuating position that causes the valveto be placed in the open position and a nonactuating position thatallows the valve to be placed in the closed position, wherein thethermal actuator includes an opening for viewing the position of theactuating part.
 24. A system for changing the temperature of a fluidcomprising: a container; a thermal exchange device extending into thecontainer; a source of thermal exchange fluid in fluid communicationwith the container, wherein the thermal exchange fluid from the sourceof thermal exchange fluid flows into the container to change thetemperature of the thermal exchange device when the temperature of thethermal exchange fluid in the container reaches a predetermined value;an air gap assembly located between the container and the source ofthermal exchange fluid, wherein the air gap assembly includes an openingto atmospheric air, wherein the air gap assembly is constructed andarranged to allow thermal exchange fluid to flow out of the opening whenthere is a predetermined amount of thermal exchange fluid back flowinginto the device.
 25. The system of claim 24 wherein the thermal exchangefluid includes coolant, wherein the coolant from the source of thermalexchange fluid flows into the container to lower the temperature of thethermal exchange device when the temperature of the thermal exchangefluid in the container reaches a predetermined value.